Teachers at Colonie Central High School show hope for the future of the building

By Naomi

2/27/25

Staff and educators at Colonie Central High School have noted that the construction work has been both distracting and inconvenient; despite this, faculty at Colonie Central maintain a strong hope for the future of the building and the benefits that the renovations will present to the students. 

The renovations are a part of a Capital Project, a plan for rebuilding a majority of school buildings in the South Colonie District projected to last about 5 years from its proposal in 2023. The funding consists of over $120 million dollars composed of residents tax dollars and state funding. 

Notable improvements are already visible at Colonie High School. A new turf and scoreboard were installed, the gym floor was resurfaced, and classrooms are being redone, setting the stage for future enhancements; these include a new concession stand on the field, a two story fitness center, new locker rooms and better technology throughout the building. 

These advancements do not come without difficulty. Executive Principal Behrle describes the initial construction as a “security nightmare”, explaining how workers would frequently leave doors open or enter the building without proper identification. 

All construction workers are given an I.D. to work in the building once their license is run through the school’s Raptor security system, providing a routine background check to ensure student safety. As the school year has progressed, Mr. Berhle expressed that workers got better about displaying I.D. and closing the doors. 

Despite frustration and setbacks, Principal Behrle, as well as other teachers hold prospective sentiments about the outcome of the project. Mr. Stranahan, a teacher whose classroom and gym spaces have been directly affected by the construction, has nothing but high hopes for the rest of the building. 

While he did not know about the redoing of his classroom beforehand, he describes finding out as a welcome surprise, and considers himself fortunate as a coach and teacher to have better equipment.

Stranahan explained that problems with construction were dismissible, and at most, inconvenient. He says that the work did not hinder his instruction and that the only issue he faced regarded storage, which he quickly adapted to. 

His advice to teachers who were also due for a classroom renovation was to be patient and be adaptable.

Other teachers have a different outlook. Ms. Luizzi, a librarian, says the new library and its contents were a mess in the wake of the construction work. Although she explains that the library has improved, she says it feels barren and lacks personality. In general, she is eager for construction to cease. 

Coach Woodard, a Colonie gym teacher, has similar feelings toward the construction. Seeing as a majority of the construction is happening in the gyms, it greatly affects intramural sports instruction because large classes are forced to congregate in smaller spaces. She says there is even greater difficulty due to a lack of consistency in where classes are held and what equipment is available. 

“It’s definitely annoying and frustrating at times… but what’s happening is going to make it easier in the future,” Coach Woodard says.

In spite of the obstacles the capital project has presented to the school, the teachers remain steadfast in their hopes for the future, and the ultimate goal of betterment for the students at CCHS.